A Wondrous Gift: Christmas at The Johnston Collection 2011-2012

3 November 2011 – 24 February 2012

Christmas comes spectacularly to life with superb creations, not just decorations, more like precious jewels originating from the exquisite objects in at The Johnston Collection. Involving numerous artists and craftspeople including The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria (NE and Albury Wodonga branches), patchwork and textile artists, and multi-media artists, this year it is in Victoria’s North Eastern region – Wangaratta and its environs - that creativity has flowed. Inspired by the life and collection of William Johnston and the story of Christmas. 

After The Meal: A Taste For Excess
Pascale Gomes-McNabb rearranges William Johnston’s Collection

Monday 5 March 2012 – Friday 22 June 2012

Pascale Gomes-McNabb is well-known internationally as a designer of hospitality venues including her co-owned Melbourne restaurants, Cumulus and Cutler & Co. So, the theme she has chosen After The Meal: A taste for excess will come as no surprise to those who follow her career.

In thinking about the proposal, Gomes-McNabb arrived at the idea of serving up themed culinary delights by exploring meals, or aspects of eating, over the course of a day in each room of Fairhall.

The drama will be the food and the furnishings with Gomes-McNabb working with some well known chefs to create the memory of sublime dishes for each room, and a recipe to take home. Table settings will dazzle with silver, glass, gold and porcelain, creating rich tablescapes evocative of hedonistic consumption and excess.

Gomes-McNabb’s talent will inspire further new ways of thinking about the Collection long after the meal has been devoured.

Above: attributed to Jan Fyt untitled (still life with cats) circa 1650
 (A0972-1989)

Over The Tea Cups: The Pomp & Style of Taking Tea

Friday 9 March 2012, 10.00 am & 2.00 pm, $70
Saturday 10 March 2012, 10.00 am, $70
Friday 16 March 2012, 10.00 am & 2.00 pm, $70

The elegant ritual of taking tea has long been cherished, bringing peaceful settings to mind, delicate refreshments to the palate and enjoyable conversation with friends to the heart. Over the Tea Cups is a Fairhall house-museum tour, which includes a history of taking tea and its accoutrements, culminating in a delightful Afternoon Tea amongst friends.

and to coincide with Mother’s Day on Sunday 13 May 2012

Over The Tea Cups: The Pomp & Style of Afternoon Tea

Friday 11 May 2012, 10.00 am & 2.00 pm, $70
Saturday 12 May 2012, 10.00 am, $70

Peter Archambo (died circa 1767), Kettle on stand, England, hallmarked ‘London 1731’(T0032-2007)

Unlocking The Collection

Monday 26 March 2012, 12.00 noon & 2.15 pm
Friday 27 April 2012, 12.00 noon & 2.15 pm
Tuesday 29 May 2012, 12.00 noon & 2.15 pm
Monday 18 June 2012, 12.00 noon & 2.15 pm

By ‘unlocking’ the doors, lids and covers of objects, this specially developed tour offers visitors the opportunity to see hidden aspects and interior details of items in Fairhall.

Fine Art Meets Fine Food

Wednesday 14 March 2012, 7.00 pm to 10.30 pm, $165 Sold Out
Thursday 15 March 2012, 7.00 pm to 10.30 pm, $165 Sold Out

oin award-winning chef, Nicolas Poelaert from Embrasse on a culinary journey in the intimate rococo interior of The Johnston Collection, East Melbourne.  Be transported to a unique museum setting for an extravagant dining experience of contemporary French cuisine: a feast for the eye and the palate.  Begin your evening with champagne, followed by an abbreviated tour of Fairhall house museum, before indulging in your four-course meal with matched wines.

Limited numbers. Telephone bookings only for this event: 03 9416 2515

Double Programme

The Johnston Collection’s Double Programme comprises the Gallery Exhibition ‘Walk & Talk’, light lunch followed by a house tour of Fairhall.  Individual and group bookings are available.

Individuals
For individuals wanting to book into our Double Programme, the following dates are currently available:

Tuesday 20 March 2012, Thursday 19 April 2012
Monday 21 May 2012, Tuesday 12 June 2012

Groups
To book the Double Programme on a date of your choice, a minimum group booking of four is preferred. Please telephone 03 9416 2515 to make a group booking (telephone booking fees will not apply).

Adults: $55.00 Concession & group rates do not apply

Visitor Information:

Weekday Tour Times:

10:00 | 12:00 | 14:15

After Hours Tours:

Second Saturday at 10:00 and 12:00
Third Thursday at 19:00

Christmas at The Johnston Collection (3 November 2011 – 24 February 2012)

Adult $25.00
Concession $23.00
Group Rate $21.00 per person group of 8 or more (max 22)
After Hours $32.00

Weekday Tour Cost (5 March 2012 - 24 October 2012):

Adult $25.00
Concession $23.00
Group Rate $21.00 per person group of 8 or more (max 22)
After Hours $32.00

Individual and group bookings available. Please note when booking a group online, enter the number of people in the Adult field and the Group Rate will be automatically calculated.

For all telephone bookings CONTACT US. All telephone bookings will be charged a booking & administration fee of $7.00 per transaction.

Visiting The Johnston Collection

The Johnston Collection is the legacy of William Johnston, an antique dealer and collector. He left his estate to the people of Victoria for their education and enjoyment. The collection ranges from the 17th to the 19th century and has great strengths in Georgian, Regency and Louis XV furniture, Empire and decorative arts.

To protect the privacy and parking rights of Mr Johnston's residential neighbours, we are not permitted by our planning permit to publish the address of the museum.

On the day of the appointed visit, visitors will be collected from the foyer of the Hilton on the Park Hotel (Wellington Parade, near the Fitzroy Gardens). Visitors are brought to the Johnston Collection in a courtesy bus operated by our staff. This arrangement is due to planning permit stipulations and adds a little intrigue to your visit that we know you will enjoy.

All tickets are prepaid and tea/coffee and shortbread are served to guests on arrival. From the time of collection to the time of return to the Hilton on the Park your tour will take approximately one and a half hours.

We allow a maximum of 22 people on guided tours.

Disabled Access

Wheelchair access to Fairhall is limited. There are 3 steps to the entrance and 19 steps which must be ascended in order to reach the first floor. Disabled car parking is not available. Please make us aware of the special needs of any member of your group in advance of your arrival so that we can offer every assistance.

Please ring 03 9416 2515 for more information.